IEEE Begins First Standards for Measuring Power Factor, for Handling SF6

Mar 06, 2007

The IEEE has begun work on two first-of-a-kind electrical standards: one for the measurement of power loss in apparatus at low power factors and the other for handling sulfur hexafluoride. It has also revised standards for shunt reactors and insulating oil and begun to revise standards for dry-type transformers and the measurement of electric power quantities.

The IEEE has begun work on IEEE P1715, "Electrical Power Apparatus Low Power Factor Power Measurements," which will be the first independent standard to address the measurement of high-voltage power loss in electrical power apparatus at the low-power factor conditions found in power transformers, high-voltage inductive-capacitive reactors, power cables and bushings. The standard will identify measurement and on-site test methods and instrumentation and recommend how to maintain the accuracy of the power-loss measuring systems.

In addition, the IEEE has begun to develop IEEE P1712, "Guide for Sulphur Hexafluoride (SF6) Gas Handling for High Voltage Equipment," which will be the first independent guide for U.S. users on handling SF6 gas used in electric power equipment. It will address state-of-the-art technologies and procedures to minimize SF6 gas emissions from electric power equipment to protect the environment during activities such as commissioning, decommissioning, refilling, sampling, gas recovery, reclamation and recycling. It also will consider measuring devices and personnel protective equipment.

The IEEE has also revised two standards. The first is IEEE C37.109, "Guide for the Protection of Shunt Reactors." The revised version was made more comprehensive by the addition of reactor configurations and reactor protection schemes.

The other revised standard, IEEE C57.106, "Guide for Acceptance and Maintenance of Insulating Oil in Equipment," applies to mineral oil used in transformers, load tap changers, voltage regulators, reactors and circuit breakers. It discusses such topics as analytical tests and their significance for evaluating new and used mineral insulating oil, as well as handling, storage, health and environmental procedures.

The IEEE has also begun to revise two standards. One of these is IEEE PC57.12.91, "Standard Test Code for Dry-Type Distribution and Power Transformers." This work with bring IEEE PC57.12.91, which provides a basis for the performance, safety and the testing of these transformers, in line with current practice.

The other revision project is for IEEE P1459, "Standard Definitions for the Measurement of Electric Power Quantities under Sinusoidal, Non-Sinusoidal, Balanced, or Unbalanced Conditions," which offers definitions to quantify the flow of electrical energy in single-phase and three-phase circuits. It also provides criteria for designing and using metering instrumentation.